As in any field of expertise, there are roles that are similar but their modes of operation and practical use are not the same. In a surgery room there are various roles of those who have all gathered for one purpose and that is to ensure that the patient receives the necessary care and services that will bring them to a place of wholeness. Attention is paid to what seems to lead that person to be limited in leading a full life, and ‘who’ handles ‘what’ and ‘when’ becomes essential.

Therapists are the trauma surgeons, emergency room personnel and paramedics of the mental health and well-being community. Coaches have a fully stocked first aid kit and skills to put it to good use, but they are not physicians. Coaching clients may be what I call “the walking wounded” but they have to be ambulatory in order to be a good fit for the coaching process.

A coach comes alongside their client to brainstorm, provide information, and examine potential decisions. A therapist can do all of these things, but they often also need to intervene at a deeper level to direct care, prescribe behavior and make choices on behalf of their client. A coach never takes that much control over a client’s life. Guide and encourage, yes. Command direction, never.

People can, and sometimes need to, move between therapy and coaching. Individuals who have gotten their mental health illnesses under control or in remission can benefit tremendously from individual and group coaching. Individuals who are being coached need to transfer to a therapist if they experience a mental health crisis. A good coach will help a client make this transfer when decompensation occurs, rather than continuing to try to tend to themselves.